Turn and Burn (Blacktop Cowboys 5)

“I do.”

But Fletch definitely heard the for now that hung in the air between them.

“It’s late and I know you get up at the crack of nothin’.” Tanna started across the parking lot and he fell in step beside her, watching water splashing across the black asphalt.

“Do you have any full days off this week?”

“Tuesday. Harlow is working in the clothing store and Tierney is handling hostess duties with Renner in the lounge. The rooms are booked Monday and Tuesday night with people he knows from the world of rodeo. And I’d rather not be there slinging drinks; know what I mean?”

“I do. I’m glad Renner’s conscientious about it.”

“He’s a great boss—as far as bosses go. I’d probably be worthless in the lounge anyway since I’m supposed to go to Eli’s on Tuesday.”

“You decided to go to Eli’s on your own?”

She shrugged.

“Or is the brat railroading you into it?” he demanded.

“Celia strongly suggested it. Several times,” Tanna said dryly.

There were so many things he wanted to say but everything sounded trite in his head. “Is that what you were talking to Eli about at the branding? Whether he can help you get back on a horse?”

“He thinks he can help me overcome my”—she waved distractedly—“debilitating fear or whatever the f**k it is. But I think I’m beyond helping.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I’m reacting like one of those combat veterans suffering from PTSD. I feel this pressure to get back to normal. Everyone says my fear will blow over. It’s past time to get over it. But what if . . . I can’t? Ever?” Tanna blew out a frustrated breath. “But the truth is, if I hadn’t felt comfortable with Eli, I wouldn’t be goin’. I’m not exactly a pushover, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

So Tanna was one of those women—she showed him her vulnerability but then she’d snap at him if he showed concern. “I noticed. But if my cousin is mean to you, it’d be my pleasure to beat him up for you.”

Tanna laughed. “You are the most unpredictable man I’ve ever met.”

Tempting to kiss her good night, but she’d expect that so he didn’t.

Chapter Ten

Tanna didn’t immediately jump out of her truck after she pulled up to Eli Whirling Cloud’s place. In fact, she sat inside the cab for several long minutes. Even after she saw Eli leaning against the corral by the barn door, drinking from an insulated coffee mug. Watching her.

Judging her?

No. That much she was sure of.

Eli never moved toward her. Never beckoned her over. He merely waited for her to make a decision.

Jesus. Get out of the f**king truck, Tanna.

So she did. Ambling toward him, she wondered if he could see how fast and hard her pulse jumped in her throat. How hard her hands shook. “Good mornin’.”

He smiled and it struck her how welcoming that smile was. “Looks to be a beautiful day.”

“That it does.” Cut to the chase. “So, whatcha got planned for me?”

Eli wandered over to where she stood by the fence. “Do you want to get on a horse today, Tanna?”

She shook her head.

“That’s good. Because you ain’t ready to ride. We’re doin’ this a different way because it ain’t a one-day fix.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “Regardless if I ride your horses or don’t ride I can’t pay you for your time.” Damn, did that hurt to admit. “And you’d better tell me right now if Celia and Kyle, or Lainie and Hank are footing the bill for this.”

Amusement danced in his eyes. “Don’t wanna be beholden to anyone? Believe me, I get that. But you’re wrong in thinking the only thing that has value in life is cash. Experience counts a lot more in my book. And you’ve got that in spades.”

“So you’ll need my help at some point in exchange for yours now?”

“Yep.”

“I’m good with that. Any other people you’re working with?” She stopped at adding, “other broken people like me.”

“A couple folks in the late afternoon, teaching them to break colts. Got a bulldogger that trains here some mornings if he ain’t off rodeoin’. Teaching riding and other stuff. The rest of the time we’re exercising the horses boarded here. So I thought we could take the ATVs out so you can get an idea of the terrain. I’m betting it’s nothin’ like what you’re used to in Texas.”

Tanna’s gaze swept the vista. The hilly land was strewn with rocks. Chunks of shale rose out of nowhere. Scrub cedar and sage abounded. The area did remind her of home—until she caught a glimpse of mountains in the distance. “Some similarities.”

“Did you have a good week?”

“Didn’t do much besides working and drinking.”

“What about Fletch?”

She tried not to get defensive, but her voice had an edge when she asked, “What about him?”

“Didja see him?”

“We had coffee Sunday night.”

“And?”

And he kissed the shit out of me. “And it was . . . nice.”

He chuckled. “I saw the sparks flyin’ between you two at the branding, so nice ain’t a word that really applies, is it? You plan on spending time with him while you’re in the area?”